taking down words

Senate Titans face primary opposition

Hoping to pull a Borst or Garton upset, several big name Republican lawmakers face primary opposition this year.  From today's Indystar:

Anger over Indiana's property tax crisis and a general distaste for incumbents have led to an unusual number of primary challenges in Statehouse races this spring, particularly among key Senate leaders.

Four of the most experienced and powerful Republican leaders in the Indiana Senate are facing challengers in Tuesday's primary, three of them for the first time in their long tenures.

Sens. Beverly J. Gard, Luke Kenley, Connie Lawson and Teresa S. Lubbers represent Central Indiana districts, chair key committees and have a combined 64 years of legislative experience.

This time of year, they usually can rest easy, knowing their stature within the Republican Party and influence at the Statehouse make the odds of a challenge long and the chances of an upset slim.

This year, however, has been different.

They're dusting off campaign signs, knocking on doors again, printing fresh campaign fliers and taking nothing for granted.

"These are not entitlement seats," said Lubbers, R-Indianapolis. "We have to earn them."

It's funny to hear Lubbers say that they aren't entitled to their seats because if you've ever heard Kenley or Lubbers on the Senate floor or in committee you would see that they certainly feel like they are.  One wonders how a person who bills herself as a teacher even though she only taught school for two years, and who sends her kids to private school, can be in charge of the Senate's education policy.  I think it's a good example of a majority held for too long.  Democrat Governors have come and gone, and Democratic controlled House has switched many times over the last three decades, but the Senate has been run by the Republicans for nearly 30 years.  With that one constant I can't help but wonder what might be holding this state back so much.

I'll definitely be interested in seeing if any upsets take place during this primary.

posted by tdwblog@gmail.com

Do You See What I See? Waltz Residency Case On The Docket This Week

If you aren't tired of all things political after Tuesday's special election in the Seventh Congressional District, Wednesday's meeting of the Indiana Election Commission should be a real doozy. The Star's "Behind Closed Doors" column reminds us of one of the more entertaining items on the docket:

A challenge to the residency status of state Sen. Brent Waltz will be heard this week at a meeting of the Indiana Election Commission.

Mike Beeles, who will square off against Waltz in the May 6 primary election for the Senate District 36 Republican nomination, filed a challenge with the Election Commission last month claiming that Waltz does not live in a Greenwood condominium listed as his official residence.

Waltz, vying for his second term at the Statehouse, says he has lived in the condo in the 300 block of Elmead Court in northern Johnson County since 2003.

Less than a week after Beeles filed his challenge with the state, a Johnson County magistrate awarded Waltz a restraining order against Beeles after Waltz claimed that Beeles was stalking him.

The magistrate ruled that stalking had occurred and that Beeles -- who admitted to standing on a stepladder and taking photos of Waltz's condo -- represented a credible threat to Waltz's safety.

Beeles, who lives about a block from Waltz's condo, was ordered to stay away from Waltz's residence and place of work and not have contact with Waltz for 90 days.

The Election Commission meeting will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Indiana Government Center South, Conference Room 14, 402 W. Washington St., Indianapolis.

Also on the agenda: Thomas Cook, of Blue Indiana fame, will do his best to keep John McCain off the ballot. If the rumor mill is any indication, the Republicans are getting worried about their case.

Wingnut, Away! Drozda To Step Down, Move To South Carolina

Everyone, gather 'round and wave so long to Sen. WedgeWhack!

The former director of Indiana Right to Life says he plans to resign from the state Senate.

Jeff Drozda is a Republican from Westfield. He has represented a district that includes portions of Hamilton and Howard counties, north of Indianapolis, since 2002.

Drozda says his employer, United Healthcare, is transferring his position to South Carolina. He plans to announce his decision on the floor of the Senate Thursday afternoon. He says he'll step down in July or August.

He's considered one of the senate's most conservative members and has sponsored legislation to restrict abortions. Drozda sponsored a bill this year that would have allowed pharmacists to deny customers prescriptions they believe cause abortions.

Someone To Watch Over You: Waltz To Take Action Against Beeles

State Rep. Jon Elrod thinks being videotaped on the House floor is bad? Check this out:

A senator running for re-election plans to file a restraining order against his opponent for stalking.

State Senator Brent Waltz is a republican from Greenwood.

His opponent Mike Beeles says Waltz does not live in the district. He's filed a complaint with the Indiana Election Commission and gathered some evidence of his own.

State Senator Brent Waltz says he felt like he was being followed.

He said our news gathering partner, The Johnson County Daily Journal, confirmed his suspicions Friday.

"Apparently the gentleman who said he was going to run against me has admitted yesterday to stalking me," Waltz said.

Republican Opponent Mike Beeles filed a challenge with the Election Committee that Waltz does not live in the district he serves.

Beeles told the paper he's gathered evidence by following Waltz at night about five times over a two month period.

"Including taking a ladder to my second story window climbing it looking in my windows and taking pictures of my house," Waltz said.

Beeles said the pictures inside of Waltz's Greenwood condo prove the place is empty.

"I've been told that I am in full compliance with the law. I live there. I pay my taxes there, I voted there 8 times," Waltz said.

Waltz will file a restraining order against Beeles on Tuesday.

"Admittedly that a public official has less right to privacy than an average citizen but clearly committing a felony, which is what Mr. Beeles has admitted to doing, is over the line," Waltz said.

Beeles said he was not stalking, just seeking the truth.

Waltz said his job at the Capital does not mean he can be an easy target, "I have a gun permit and I know how to use it. But at the same time, you just have to take care of yourself. You need to watch out. There are some very strange people in this world, and apparently one of them is trying to run against me."

No WedgeWhack! Here: Waltz Faces Residency, Primary Challenges

What's this? Republicans watching Republicans? Jim Shella reports on his blog:

State Senator Brent Waltz faces a primary challenge and a legal challenge.  This is from the the Johnson County Daily Journal:

"The Indiana Election Commission, a four-member bipartisan board, likely will meet after Feb. 29 to hear arguments from both Sen. Brent Waltz and his opponent, Mike Beeles.

Beeles filed a challenge with the commission this week, claiming that Waltz lives outside his district, not at the address he lists on his election records.

Beeles says the address on election records is an apartment where the only furnishings are two chairs.  He says the neighbors say no one lives there and says he's been watching the place for some time."

No wonder Waltz is so hellbent on raising re-election cash during the session. It sounds like he's going to need it.

WedgeWhack! Q&A: Delph Says He's A Bold Leader, Not A Wingnut

Mike Delph, the greatest patriot of them all. At least to hear him describe himself and explain away his anti-business immigration bill:

I sacrifice a great deal of my time away from my family, my five daughters, to serve both my country as a commander in the Army Reserve and my state in the Indiana Senate. . . .

We are in a culture of political correctness that I think is unhealthy. I wish more people would have spine and backbone, including leadership in my own party. Because the people want that. People want strong leadership.

Actually, Mike, people want honest leadership. Strong leadership can just as easily be stubborn leadership.

People do, however, want a strong economy, and your bill won't quite get us there.

Also, it's kinda cute how you believe in the rule of law only when it suits you.

WedgeWhack! Alliance? Waltz, Ballard Team Up To Raise Political Cash

It's not often that TDW has occasion to cross-post from one blog to another, but can anyone explain why brand-new Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, who barely knows where the Statehouse is, would choose to raise money -- during the legislative session, no less -- for a wingnut from Greenwood?

While the Indiana State Legislature continues to grapple with Indiana's property tax crisis, State Senator Brent Waltz (R-Greenwood) will instead be focusing on his upcoming re-election bid when he takes time out February 20 to hold a fundraiser.

His $500 a plate soiree, which is hosted by Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, is scheduled to take place at the exclusive Columbia Club.  Sponsorships to the tune of $1000 each are being offered to special interest groups that wouldn't mind lining Waltz’s pockets before he makes votes on crucial issues this session.

Senate leadership has always frowned upon holding fundraisers during session, and for good reason.  This year especially, with the property tax crisis forcing Indiana residents to lose their homes, the legislature needs to focus on helping the hardworking men and women of our State, not taking money from PACs, special interests, and businesses.

"Waltz is now no stranger to taking money from PACs, lobbyists and other people whose interests conflict with those of District 36," said Terry Rice, a Perry Township educator who is running against Waltz. "I can't say I'm surprised, but I'm certainly disappointed that he has prioritized fundraising over legislating when there is still so much work left to be done before the end of session.  In the 2004 election Waltz was always quoted that he "was beholden to no one."  This error in judgment not only demonstrates the inappropriateness of this type of fundraising but also illustrates how worried he is about my campaign against him this year."

Waltz also owes quite a debt to himself – he has loaned his campaign over $100,000 since his first run for Senate in 2004. With this crippling debt to himself it is no wonder that he wants someone else to pick up the tab for his campaign, but I call on Mayor Greg Ballard and Brent Waltz to postpone this selfish and inappropriate event until the Legislative Session has concluded for the year.

"It's unfortunate that Waltz seems to be looking out for number one instead of looking out for the people of District 36," said Rice. "While I am out campaigning this year to protect teachers, children, and the hard working men and women of district 36, I hope that the voters will take a long, hard look at whose interests are really being served with Brent Waltz in office."

Take This WedgeWhack! And Shove It: It's Time To Deep-Six SJR7

Sheila Suess Kennedy strikes back at the pander bears in the Indiana Senate who think the constitutional marriage amendment should be at the top of the legislative priority list this session:

SJR 7 is opposed by Indiana's largest employers, by many clergymen and religious organizations, by university professors, by dozens of professional organizations and, in recent polls, by a majority of Indiana citizens. So what compelling justifications are offered for cluttering the Indiana Constitution with this confusing and discriminatory language?

Basically, proponents say gays shouldn't be allowed to marry because some religions teach that homosexuality is immoral. (Of course, all religions teach that rape and murder are immoral, but Indiana allows rapists and murderers to marry. Go figure.)

They say marriage and sex are for procreation (although we allow sterile folks to marry).

Most of all, they insist that recognizing gay unions will undermine families and the institution of marriage. (Similar claims were made about interracial marriage, and about allowing women to own property and vote.)

Let's at least be honest. This isn't an effort to protect families; it is an effort to privilege some families at the expense of others. SJR 7 is not about religion or morality; it is about whose religion, whose morality.

This also is not about our senators responding to some groundswell of public opinion. This is an issue rapidly losing its salience with most voters, who are understandably more concerned about taxes, crime, access to health care and other bread-and-butter and quality-of-life issues. To the extent the Senate is responding to public pressure, it is pressure coming from a small but highly vocal constituency.

We can only hope that when SJR7 arrives in the Indiana House, our representatives give it the priority it deserves -- and bury this bad bill whose time has thankfully passed.

By Way Of Explanation: Cut And Cap Doesn't Mean No Future Tax Hikes

For those of you who are playing the property tax plan game at home, the Louisville Courier-Journal's Lesley Stedman Weidenbener explains that your bill is still going to go up in future years under the Guv's proposal:

"When Gov. Mitch Daniels talks about his property-tax reduction plan, he describes it as a cut and then a cap for homeowners' bills.

"But while estimates show the plan would reduce bills immediately by an average of about one-third, homeowners likely would still face future property tax increases. That's because the cap is more like a floating limit tied to the assessed value of property.

 

"Thus, when a home's assessment increases, the resulting bill could go up as well.

"If Daniels' program is fully implemented, four out of five Hoosier homeowners – and almost everyone in Clark, Floyd and Harrison counties – would get bills that are below the cap. That means their bills could begin inching back up in subsequent years, even if their assessments don't change.

"'What people really care about is that their property tax bill is going to be going down' immediately, said Rep. Paul Robertson, D-Depauw, who last week voted for a modified version of Daniels' plan. 'But this doesn't mean that someone's tax bill is going to be frozen permanently.'"

And They're Off: Candidates Make Their May Primary Bids Official

Today is the first day candidates can file for the May primary. TDW received press releases stating that André Carson and John McGoff are officially and respectively entered into contests in the Seventh and Fifth Congressional Districts.

McGoff, who is challenging the eternally underwhelming Dan Burton, held a Statehouse press conference to reaffirm his bid.

"Republican John McGoff's challenge to Congressman Dan Burton is now official.

"Secretary of State Todd Rokita joined McGoff at a statehouse news conference as he filed the paperwork necessary to challenge Burton in the May Republican Primary.

"Mcgoff launched his campaign in a similar statehouse appearance last year. He says that 5th district voters have lost their trust in Congress.

"'As I return today to officially place my name on the ballot, I am more confident than ever that the citizens of indiana are ready for a congressman who they can trust and who will listen to their concerns," said John McGoff (R).

"Dan Burton is in his 13th term in Congress."

Can anyone else figure out why Rokita was hanging out at a political event instead of performing his official duties?

Back on topic: It's not often that the blogmistress encourages the cutting and pasting of press releases, but if you or a candidate you support filed today, please feel free to post about it in the comments section.